Yarn carrier controlling mechanism



P 1933- E. F. HATHAWAY 1,926,534

YARN CARRIER CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Mafch 4, 1930 In the drawing illustrating one form ofmech Patented Sept. 12, 1933 TES 1,926,534 up I PATENT orries YARN: CARRIER CONTROLLING i i MECHANISM Edgar F. Hathaway, Wellesley, Mass, assignor to Shawmut Engineering Company;

Dor

rchester, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts v v Application 'March 4,

1930. Serial No. 432,003

11 Claims. 1 (c1. 139-7) My present invention relates to looms wherein a plurality of yarn carriers or tube-frames supporting spooled yarns are successively presented in operative position, such as looms for weav- 5 ing tufted fabrics, including carpet looms; more particularlyyit aims to provide improved means for conveying the carriers or frames to and from yarn presenting position, and for insuring their proper. travel and presentation.

anism embodying the invention,

Fig. 1 is a-side elevation of a portion of theconveying mechanism, .showing one wheel or sprocket and a section of the pattern or carrier 5 chain passing about it; 1 1 Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the mech-- anism of Fig. 1, looking toward the right in said figure; i Fig. 3 is a partially diagrammatic view show- 0 ing the general arrangement of carrier chain and its supporting framework and e Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a chain-,

supporting and guiding means at the upper part of Fig. 3. i i

5 Referring first to Fig. 3, a portion of the loom frame isseen at 1. I The framework or overhead structure for supporting the carrier or pattern chains includes theuprights 2 and the longitudie nal beam 3, a portion of which is also seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The framework carries the upperwheels or sprockets' l on shafts 5 in suitable bearings 6, and also supports the similar intermediate sheaves or sprockets 7. The chain 8 is looped around the latter in the manner indicated in Fig. 3. Any one or more of the members land '7 may be driven to feed the chain step by step,

after used in the description and claims as indi-: cating any of. the various types or constructions,

of elementsfor supporting and directing yarn units in this art, whether equipped with tubular or other guides for the yarns or yarn units. The frames are adapted'for releasable attachmentto the chains by suitable suspension means herein shown as including the chain-penetrating fingers 13, Figs. 2 and 4, and the cosprocketsand the frameatheniatthe outside of operating movable latches or hooks 1,4. It will be understood that a similar chain and operating mechanism as shown in Fig. 3 is also, provided at the opposite'loom side, the series of yarn carriers orframes being suspended on any between the chains. The chains illustrated are. composed of alterate single and doublelinks, the frames being attached atthe double links, as best seen in Fig. 4, while the sprocket teeth engage between'the double links,.straddling the single links. i

In the course of weaving operation the frames 9 may approach their operative position, at the lower left corner of Fig. 3, from either direction, either; downwardly along the left-hand run of 7 the loop of chain at the left in said figure, or along the right-hand run of that loop. At different stages in the weaving of a given fabric, such as a rug, the chain and frames maybe moved in,

tern comprises portions repeated in reverse arrangement. It will be noted that the frames ;.9 on the upper runof the chain, between the upper sprockets 4, are above or upon the outside of the chain and in substantially vertical position, with respect to thedirection of their yarn guides or tubes 10, While at the vertical runs of the chain the frames are horizontal or somewhat beyond the horizontal, with their tubes or guides pointing downwardly. v

By reason oftheengagement of the chain-" penetrating fingers 13 of the frame suspension means between the ends of the single links, the frames 9 'are held substantially perpendicular to the chain, .whether the latter is running horizontally or vertically. However, there is necessarily considerable play between the frame suspension means and the chain, to allow for easy movement of the parts in the operation of trans-' ferring the frames successively from the'chain to yarn presenting position in the loom, and in subsequently returningthem to the chain.

Because of this p'lay'the'frames can and do shift or swing angularly with respect to the chain, to either side of the true perpendicular. At some points in theirtravel this shifting action is particularlyv marked and objectionable, especially where the chainspass about the upper the chains, go from a vertical run to a horizontal i run, or vice versa. 7 At those points the frames frequently flop'violently from one angular positionon the chain to another. This sometimes causes one or more of them to fall from the chains, or

yarn-spool frames, chains for conveying the frames, and wheels about which the chains pass, a series of plungers disposed circumferentially of a wheel and respectively adapted to engage passing frames to restrain objectionable movement thereof relative to the chain, and means to actuate the plungers sequentially.

7. Conveying mechanism for tufting frames of looms, comprising carrier chains, wheels for supporting and moving the chains, one or more of said wheels having associated therewith frame controlling mechanism including a series of frame-engaging members disposed circumferentially of the wheel and moving therewith, said members having active and inactive positions, and means to move them into and out of active position to engage and release frames passing the wheel.

8. Conveying mechanism for tufting frames of looms, comprising carrier chains, wheels for supporting and moving the chains, one or more of said wheels having associated therewith frame controlling mechanism including an annular series of plungers, means slidably supporting the plungers for travel with the wheel, spring means to retract the plungers, and cam means for extending them sequentially into engagement with frames passing the wheel.

9. In a tufted-fabric loom, in combination with the pattern chains, their wheels and the yarnframes on and between the chains, guides adapted to underlie portions of the chains during substantially horizontal runs thereof, and means supporting the; guides for yielding movement in the direction crosswise the chains.

10. In a tufted-fabric loom, in combination with the pattern chains, their wheels and the yarnframes on and between the chains, guides adapted to underlie portions of the chains duringv sub- EDGAR F. YI-IATI-IAWYAY. 

